OKC drinking the convention center Kool-Aid

In listening to the discussion about whether to build a convention center in the city of Albany, it’s (very) small comfort to know that that Oklahoma City appears committed to build one, despite an expanding number of facilities that has created a glut of capacity nationally, at a time that convention attendance is shrinking.

Building convention centers currently appears to be a zero sum proposition. If town B gets a (temporary) surge in visitors, it’s almost certainly at the expense of town A’s slightly older facility. Town C’s new locale might then become the “it” town for a season.

Dustbury blames consultants for this construction mania. Love his last paragraph:We are, of course, going to build this monstrosity [in Oklahoma City]. I just hope they’ll come up with a more plausible justification for it: the elevation of civic pride, the desire for shiny new stuff, the ability to attract a higher class of hookers — anything but actual return on investment. Because that’s not happening.

3 Responses

Why do we need 3 places to go to see over-priced concerts and trade shows? We already have the arena we’re still paying a tax hike for and the Empire State Plaza & Convention Center. Why does Albany need one of its own, when it can use either of them whenever it wants? It makes no sense!